B U D D H I S T S Y M B O L S, I N S T R U M E N T S, A N D O F F E R I N G S
The eight auspicious symbols are the Conch, White Lotus, Dharma Wheel, Golden Fish, Endless Knot, Treasure Vase, Protective Parasol, and Victory Banner. The four auspicious animals are the Garuda, Dragon, Snow Lion, and Tiger. They are known collectively as "The Four Dignities," and they represent sacred qualities which Bodhisattvas develop on the path to enlightenment. These qualities are confidence (Tiger), clear awareness (Snow Lion), fearlessness (Garuda), and gentle power (Dragon).
Instruments are the physical objects used in performing pujas, empowerments, and teachings in Vajrayana Buddhism. Included may be musical instruments, such as gyalings, dongchen, cymbals, drums, conch, thighbone trumpets, and other ritual instruments, such as dorjes, phurbas, consecrated vessels for water, chang, or liqueur.
Offerings for Buddhist shrines include drinking water, washing water with saffron, flowers, incense, light in the form of butter lamps or candles, perfumed water, and food offerings.
Tibetan Buddhist symbols are widely used in Tibetan paper currency and copper, silver, and gold coins, dated pre-1959. It is interesting to note that Buddhist money does not use photographs of sovereigns or politicians, but rather sacred Buddhist symbols such as snow lions, mantras, and the 8 auspicious signs.
